Kids CAN-BIKE York Region Bikefest teaches safe cycling skills and rules of the road at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area

NEWMARKET – A Kids CAN-BIKE York Region Bikefest will be held Saturday, June 4 at The Regional Municipality of York Community Safety Village, located at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

Three two-hour training sessions are offered free of charge. To register, please call 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1581. Registrants must bring their own helmets and bicycles in working order. Basic tune-ups will be provided on site.

This event is open to children between the ages of seven and 13, who will learn safe cycling skills during a fun-filled day of activities. Activities include signal training, obstacle avoidance, gearing and rules of the road.

CAN-BIKE is the Canadian Cycling Association’s nationally-standardized cycling safety program, which provides instruction on all aspects of safe cycling on the road.

WHO: Children between the ages of seven and 13

WHAT: Kids CAN-BIKE York Region Bikefest

WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.Participants should check in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the session to allow for the bike tune-up

Background:• York Region’s safe cycling training program aims to deliver the CAN-BIKE safe cycling program to 2,000 elementary school age students by 2012.• The CAN-BIKE cycling safety program provides a nationally standardized set of courses that can be taught through a variety of organizations that are interested in education, safety and health. • These initiatives are part of the implementation of York Region’s Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan, a $44-million investment in cycling infrastructure over 25 years approved by York Regional Council in 2008. For information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca- 30 -Media Contacts: Tim Paleczny, Corporate Communications Specialist, York Region Phone: 905-830-4444, ext. 1238, 416-297-9696 or Toll free 1-877-464-9675 Cell: 905-251-6413 Email: tim.paleczny@york.ca